Cement Mortar Lining old tech?
In Europe, some may favour epoxy, but the U.S. and Asia still trust cement. Each market has its reasons — yet CML remains a proven, scalable solution worldwide. You just need to know what you’re doing. And Selmers does. With over 25 plants implemented globally in the past 60 years — including one every two years in the last 15 — we know when, why and how CML works.
A reputation that precedes CML – but can be misleading
Yes, CML is heavier. Yes, it needs careful handling. And yes, damage can occur during transport if production isn’t spot on. Cracks often appear later — not from fragility, but from poor process control. Dismissing CML as outdated misses the point. Applied and handled properly, it provides robust, long-term corrosion protection for water-carrying pipelines. It’s not outdated. Just underappreciated.
Why CML still makes sense
CML offers a series of benefits chemical coatings can’t match:
- Easier application with fewer variables
- Less critical surface prep
- Self-curing, no quenching or curing chambers
- No risk of organic leaching when mixed right
- Excellent long-term performance
- Safe for drinking water
It’s low-tech in the best way — if you know what you’re doing.
Expertise matters — and Selmers has it
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Selmers’ experience spans decades and dozens of plant builds — from fully automated to hybrid setups. Every project is configured to fit local standards, customer needs, pipe sizes and volume. We don’t just build machines — we build the solution.
Two coating routes with CML
Application depends on pipe size — typically above or below 600 mm diameter.
- Wheel rotator: ideal for small-diameter pipes, spun on (pneumatic or solid) wheels. The number of wheels depends on the pipe’s shape and the rotation speed needed, which is tied to the cement recipe.
- Belt rotator: large pipes are supported and rotated in wide belts that carry up to 20 metric tons — fast, stable and secure.
No burning man – screaming man!
CML isn’t risk-free — and that’s where real expertise shows. If you ever see a grown man scream with cold fear in a rotating pipe coating process, you know it’s time to start running… So, what are the risks?
- Safety: a pipe escaping at full rotation is no joke. The cause? Ovality or bent pipes — especially in small diameters. That’s why Selmers uses press-down systems to keep them in place. Larger pipes, embedded in wide belts, eliminate this risk. Those setups generate 10 to 90 G-force — which keeps them in place. (For reference, fighter pilots hit 5G.)
- Mixing configuration: the perfect mix demands the right centrifugal force, mixing pan size, mixing arms, and sand/cement ratio. Without know-how, you’ll be engineering by trial and error. Selmers systems are built to avoid cracks and guarantee consistency.
- Clean operation: a mixing pan not fully emptied or cleaned can ruin the next batch. Our systems bake cleaning and flushing into the process — no shortcuts.
Why choose Selmers for CML?
Selmers doesn’t just supply equipment — we engineer systems that coat multiple pipes at a time, built for low maintenance and long service life. From rotating tyres to paddings, our components are durable and easy to replace. That means uptime. And peace of mind.
Smarter, faster, more controlled — meet our automation layer
Optional, but strongly recommended: Selmers’ digital product registration system. It tracks and logs every step — no notebooks, no guesswork. You get a digital thread of all process data: pipe specs, mix ratios, spin time, curing, quality checks, and more. In today’s world, that’s not a luxury. It’s protection. Because when something goes wrong down the line, the one with proof usually stands strong…
At Selmers, we specialize in advanced industrial machinery and automation for coating and handling pipes and tubes. With over 50 years of experience, we have grown into a trustworthy supplier of numerous automated solutions. Collaboration is key to creating real magic. Interested in optimizing performance and reducing risks?
